GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips opened the new child and adolescent unit at Withybush Hospital on Friday.

The unit, called the Presceli Centre, is dedicated to the mental health needs of children and young people.

There has been a need to expand the existing unit since it was opened in 1988. The new unit doubles the size of the facilities and has been in operation since May.

The centre deals with a wide range of mental health issues including behavioural problems, school refusals and some drug abuse cases. More serious problems are very, very rare, although there is provision for post-abuse care. This area of care extends to victims and witnesses of both violent and sexual abuse.

The service provides care up to the age of 18 and continues to work with local children who are placed outside the county.

Staff at the centre include a community mental health nurse, a clinical psychologist, a social worker, a psychiatrist, a mental health care worker, a part-time play therapist and two secretaries.

Presceli Centre general manager, Jane Harris, said: The nature of the service has changed because we are all expected to work closer together.

The centre tries to work in tandem with other agencies and family groups to prevent situations which can result in mental health problems. The new premises will be used both by the units staff and by other agencies with whom they work in conjunction.

Mrs Harris added: It is wonderful to have Fiona here for the opening as she is such an attractive figure to young people who might be scared and confused by the issue of mental health.

CAPTION: Television presenter Fiona Phillips was surrounded by children and balloons when she visited Pembrokeshire on Friday. PICTURE: Justin Griffiths, Western Telegraph.